Asian Court is quite simply my humble attempt to portray emotion, the comfort and respect for home and the preservation of all things vintage. The humble frangipani tree, also known as the ‘Champa’ in India, holds a special place in this collection as do the Passion flower or “Krishna Kamal’, Pomegranate, Tiger Orchids Adenium, Kumquats, Fragrant creepers or ‘Raat Ranis’ and Halcyconias – all planted by three generations of Patels. The Champa tree, an unusually large pink variety, was planted by my grandmother, the late Kantaben Patel and it proudly stands as the tallest one in Bombay - over three storeys. Most of the flora that blooms in the spring has been cultivated and planted by my mother, Indira, who turns 75 this year. The halyconias that feature in our tropical print was a plant cutting gifted by a boutique hotel owner and carried by me to Bombay over 10 years ago. A family of dancing peacocks, which still visits us in the monsoon, the occasional snake, an owl which was rescued and cared for by my parents, birds which build their nests in plants on our terrace, and our family of dogs are some of the colourful inhabitants of Asian Court. Mosaic plays a central role in our collection, with various motifs that dot the floors of the rooms in intricate patterns. Furniture, vessels, doorways and the use of the old to live in the new. My parents’ 50 year old red vintage car finds a home here too. Our swing room or ‘Ichka’ room houses a century old teak swing which was used as a coolant in the summers before the advent of the fan. Relaxed, chic and luxurious, our design remains true, ultra soft and sustainable across our parameters of design and social responsibility.